Salem, IN (April 18, 2011) – This Saturday will be a very special day for Champion Racing Association as it begins its latest venue with the inaugural event for the new JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Presented by GM Performance Parts at Toledo Speedway located in Toledo, Ohio. The VR-12/Easter Bunny 100 Presented by JEGS.com will be the first of an 11 race schedule for the new crate late model series sanction by CRA.
“What started out as a conversation in a McDonald’s in Nashville in early October, is now ready to begin with its first event”, remarked Glenn Luckett, Managing Partner of CRA. “The excitement has continued to build since we made the first announcement of the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Presented by GM Performance Parts, now it’s time to hit the track and get things rolling for the 2011 season. The response from the racing community has been outstanding! We are expecting a terrific season with this new series with the help of JEGS and GM Performance Parts and all the other great sponsors that have jumped on board to support this deal!”
To date 36 teams have already entered the VR-12/Easter Bunny 100 Presented by JEGS.com, more are expected between now and race day. Topping the list are several former crate late model series champions including Brian Campbell, Eddie Hoffman, Tommy Cook and Brent Downey. 2010 Main Event Series Champion Jimmy Carter is entered as he gives template late models a try in 2011. Other drivers entered include CRA Super Series regular and SuperPro Series winner Jason Dietsch, former ARCA Truck Series and CRA Super Series Rookie of the Year Danny Jackson, ARCA competitor Chad Finley, also top crate late model competitors Jack Smith, Josh Nelms, Chris Koslek, Erik Jones, Mike Kugler, John Turnbull Jr., Claude Plante, Jordan Dahlke, Jordan Sims, Justin Matson, Cole Powell, and Brandon Watson.
Several teams have also signed up to run for the Howie Lettow Rookie of the Year Award Presented by Howe Racing including Cody Coughlin, Jimmy Novak III and Jake Ott who are all entered for this weekend’s event.
“There is a great variety of talent and experience in the group of drivers entered for this weekend’s race,” stated R.J. Scott, Managing Partner with CRA. “There are drivers from six different states including Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, plus six drivers entered from Canada. With the number of drivers we are expecting, it’s going to be tough just to make the feature event. Of course it is always special to be the first winner of something new, it will be a great race to see who gets that first JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Presented by GM Performance Parts winner’s trophy!”
There will be an open practice on Friday, pit gates open at 1pm, practice will go from 3:30 until 7pm. Following practice, the Speedway Bar and Grille, located adjacent to the track, will host a welcoming party. Food and drink specials are planned and the NASCAR Truck race will be shown live on the SPEED Channel at 8 p.m.
Pit gates open on Saturday at 8am, practice will begin at 12:30pm, with qualifying at 4pm. The track will have an Easter Egg Hunt and Nickel/Penny Goldrush for the kids at 5:30pm. The racing action will begin at 6pm and will include the VR-12/Easter Bunny 100 Presented by JEGS.com and a 50 lap feature for the USA Modified Series.
More event information is available at
www.toledospeedway.com . More information on the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Presented by GM Performance Parts is available at www.craracing.net